.I've copied the dates of the most notable meteor showers from the stargazing website onto my calendar. I managed to miss the Perseids in mid August - the only one I usually look our for, and the most spectacular. I have memories of sitting out in the dark garden with the girls and their friends wrapped in blankets (with hot chocolate of course) counting the shooting stars.

There is an app for android phones called sky map...you hold your phone up to the sky and it tells you what you are seeing...i am looking for one for iphone.. for star gazers, i think that would be fabulous!...hot chocolate works well with all the apps...(we missed perseids too, freda...we were just too tired that night!)

I've got one called Sky Guide for iphone. I don't think it was free but it would only have been a couple of pounds/dollars. I'd forgotten about it until you mentioned it!

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Freda

30/8/2018 03:28:37 am

As above!

Freda

30/8/2018 03:28:02 am

Brilliant technology Isn't it!

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Susan

29/8/2018 12:36:54 am

Thank you for the meteor shower info. link, Freda.
I, too, have noted the dates, because often, I am tucked up in bed, before I hear on the radio, of an anticipated shower.
Occasionally, I've got up and run out into the garden in my nightie.

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Freda

30/8/2018 03:29:21 am

Love that you do that Susan!

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Mary

29/8/2018 04:17:05 am

We used to have wonderful night sky viewing, living 50 miles away from the city in an area with no street lights. But sadly, city/suburban types moving into the area over the past few years are evidently terribly afraid of the dark as more and more of them not only leave their door lights on all night long, but some have even installed flood lights on every corner of their homes (aka - the prison yard effect). Hence, more light pollution. Sigh. But I do wish you happy night sky viewing.

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Freda

30/8/2018 03:30:48 am

Light pollution is a big issue we need to address. The energy wasted is enormous. We don't have streetlights in our village (so far) which I like.

I remember my father taking us outside when we were little to see our first shooting stars... it was so exciting! And Susan's comment about running outside in her nightie reminded me of sitting outside in my pyjamas one night maybe 15 years ago reading a book by moonlight... just because I could... So glad to have had those moments.

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Freda

30/8/2018 03:31:37 am

Paradise moments Lotta. Lovely.

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Damsonlily

29/8/2018 02:14:24 pm

Yes, I missed the perseids too, visiting daughter’s family on south coast. Expected to have their usual good weather as normal but no - blanket cloud cover!
I am pretty clueless about star gazing; luckily I have a very knowledgeable friend who bales me out but any info is most welcome, thank you.

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Freda

30/8/2018 03:33:17 am

The info from Julia and Lotta will help - but you inow there is something to be said for just standing out there, looking. Awestruck.